Kelly Jones, at the piano, performing in London’s largest independent music venue? Of course that’s a show I was buying a ticket for.
For the first thirty-five minutes Kelly played the full eight songs of ‘Inevitable Incredible’, the solo album he released independently – but not in place of Stereophonics, or Far From Saints – on 3rd May. Indeed, there’s enough room in venues across the lands for all of Jones’ creativity, however it wants to be presented.
Side note – since the release of the Stereophonics’ ‘Graffiti On A Train’ album in 2013, violins have made a welcome appearance to Kelly’s music; the cinematography they evoke isn’t lost on a lad who initially planned to be a film maker. ‘Violins and Tambourines’ could be a Bond theme it’s that hypnotic.
Fast forward a decade, to the north London stage and three violinists and a double bass surround Kelly (as does Rich) as well as some seriously multi-talented musicians playing a range of instruments, including a STEEL GUITAR for the first half of the show. I was very tempted to stay for the second show. But it’d sold out. Plenty of good-natured ribbing from Kelly through the night between songs, about getting value for money from the musicians, and holding two events of an evening, which is how artists used to perform in the ‘70s. I love this format, as it meant I didn’t have to be rushing for the last bus back to the hotel.
Listening to the full eight songs of a project, starting with the album title ‘Inevitable Incredible’ was the switch-off the soul needed, not least because Kelly asked for phones to be forgotten about and sealed in a bag. The album’s songs are honest, at times sharing the despair Kelly felt – he underwent throat surgery just before lockdown, and has had to relearn to sing – and the need to listen to songs that call to be written, on an instrument Kelly jokes he didn’t want in the first place. The piano-based project was written in the evenings, between October – December 2022, and recorded in the studio of a remote Norwegian island in a week.
Once the eight songs had been played in full, their mood lightened with Kelly’s effortless banter, a quick change on a dark stage and suddenly the spotlight hits Kelly, sat on a chair, at the front of the stage, ankles crossed, accompanied by three musicians. Kelly’s harmonica skills are incredible and the seated audience was treated to a stunning rendition of ‘Restless Mind’ the first of six Sterephonics’ songs, continuing, strengthening and deepening the insights into life that ‘moves you and shifts and shoves at you’ (as Kelly explains in his article on latest solo project). Songs from the latter albums, particularly from ‘Don’t Let The Devil Take Another Day’ and ‘Kind’ had their moment in the spotlight. Rich had everyone clapping along during the final verse of ‘I Want To Make Friends With The Morning’ about a battle between head and heart. A rousing performance of a song written in 2002 that Kelly confessed he finally understood – the powerful Stereophonics setlist stalwart ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ was the encore.
And how did I feel about not capturing any of this on my phone? Absolutely energised; I talked with people around me (before the show started) and was completely absorbed watching the craft of music on the stage and not watching through the small screens in front of me.
I turned up late to first appreciating the Stereophonics, in 2005 when I first heard ‘Dakota’; the great thing about a late discovery musically is that there’s a back catalogue to gorge on, and this band release albums every couple of years, then there’s the solo recordings. If anyone’s paid attention to my EF articles of ‘90s Country legends, you’ll know what songwriting genre had my heart in the mid-90s. I have since made up for the gap in my music education by making sure I catch a gig when they’re announced, including the Friday night of their legendary Cardiff 2022 stadium show.
My takeaway lyric for the night/life has to be, ‘the strength within us gives us resilience/the beast will be what the beast will be…just remember, always be tender to you’.
Set list: 1. Inevitable Incredible 2. Turn Bad To Good 3. Time’s Running Away 4. Echowrecked 5. Sometimes You Fly Like The Wind 6. Monsters In The House 7. May I Come Home From The War 8. The Beast Will Be What The Beast Will Be Stereophonics’ songs: 9. Restless Mind 10. Boy On A Bike 11. Fly Like An Eagle 12. This Life Ain’t Easy (But It’s The One That We All Got) 13. Make Friends With The Morning Encore: Maybe Tomorrow Venue: Alexandra Palace, London Performance Date: 9th May 2024; early show
